Automatic release attachment for sliding grain cut-offs



Jan. 26, 1932. H. R. SIMMQNS AUTOMATIC RELEASE ATTACHMENT FOR SLIDING GRAIN CUT-OFF 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 28, 1930 Jan. 26, 1932. R s o s 1,842,919

AUTOMATIC RELEASE ATTACHMENT FOR SLIDING GRAIN CUT-OFF Filed May 28, 1950 3 Sheets-Shelet 2 H. R. SIMMONS 1,842,919

Filed May 28, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet s A gwwnto a 17727720726,

Jan. 26, 1932.

AUTOMATIC RELEASE ATTACHMENT FOR SLIDING GRAIN CUT-OFF release device,

3 4-4: of Fig. 2, and,

Patented Jan. 26, 1932 warren STerss ParEar orricE HAROLD R. SEMMQNS, OF PLAINS, KANSAS AUTOMATIC RELEASE ATTACHMENT FOR SLIDING GRAIN CUT-OFTES Application files ma 28;

My invention relates toan automatic release for a grain cut-off, for use in connection with grain conveyors to automatically shut off thefiow of grain to the conveyor when the. motive power of the conveyor stops.

It is'an object of the invention to provide means for holding the grainfcut-ofi open, operated by an eleetro-magnet connected with the circuit of the electricmotor operatthe conveyor, which uponstopping of the motor will automatically release the grain cut-oil, preventing cloggin of the conveyor with graini A further ob ect of the invention is to provide a device of the above-mentioned character whichis simple and durable in construction, reliable and'efficient in use andinexpensive to manufacture. 7 Other objects and. advantages of the in- 'venti on willbe apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts 7 throughout the same,

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, I have showna preferred embodiment ofiny invention, the numeral 5 de a convcmional type of grain lift. con-- sisting of an endless conveyor 6, operated by an electric motor 7, a hopper 8 having a chute 9 for delivering grain to the lower end of the conveyor and a hopper 10 at the upper end of the conveyor to receive the grain discharged therefrom. At the lower end of the chute 9 is a slide valve 11 for cutting off the flow of grain from the hopper 8, when the conveyor is not operating, which at the pres out time is manually operated. In order to 19 30. Serial-No. $56,749.-

insure the closing of the valve 11, when the electric" motor tails to operate, I have'provided a mechanism for automatically releasing gingot the conveyor.

Referring more particularly to l'IlYlll'lVQI-lfl tion, the numeral 12 denotes a rectangular metal casing connected to the floor 13 by screws 1 h Mounted within thecasing is an electrormagnet 15, the core 16 of the magnet having an angular extension 17, disposed in. parallel relation to the wall of the casing and the slide valve, thereby preventing the clogsecured thereto, by screws 18. Offset from the upper end of the extension 17 is an-upwardly extending arm 19, from which is suspended the armature20, by means of the strips21, pivotally connected to the arm 19 by means of the pin 22. The lower end of the armature is disposed in controntingrelation to the core-o t the magnet and pivotally con- U nected to the lower end of the armature is a U-shaped strap 23, as at 24, which extends at right angles from the armature and embraces the rod 25, extending vertically through the i casing. Onesi de of, the rod is provided. with :ratchet teeth 26 and the strap 23 is drawn 7 into gripping engagement with the ratchet teeth by the armature when the latter is attracted by the electro-rnagnet, but is moved to dis-engaging relation to the teeth, when the magnet releases the armature by the coil spring 27 extending between the armature and wall'of the casing, the tension of the spring being adjusted by the nut 28.

A bracket 29 attached to the wall of the casing guides the movement of the strap23; The rod 2 25 extends below the casing and isconne'cted to the operating rod 30 of the slide valve 11 as at 31, while the upper end or the rod prov j'eets above the casing and 15 provided with'a handle 32. A coil spring 33 is disposed between the handle 32 and top of the casing, being connected to the topby the adiusting screw 34, and serves to pull the rod 25 down whenreleased by the strap'23.

The electro-magnet is connected with the 1 electric circuit of the motor'?, by wires and 36, leading from the electro-magnet and having connection with the wires 37 and '38 re spectively of the motor circuit, the motor circuit having a switch 39 interposed therein. A push switch 40 is interposed in the wire 35 being mounted on top of the casing, whereby the circuit to the electro-magnet may be opened when ever desired.

In ope 'ation, it will be seen that when the circuit oi? the electric motor, is closed,,the electro-magnet will be energized, attracting the armature and moving the strap into gripping engagement with the ratchet teeth of the rod 25. Upon raising the rod 25 .by the handlei32, the slide valve 11 is opened permitting the grain from the hopper 8 to flow to the conveyor, and is held open by reason of the strap engaging the teeth of the red. It the current of the motor circuit should fail, the electromagnet becomes de-ene 'gized, releasing the armature which is drawn away from the mag net by the coil. spring 27, thereby dis-engaging the strap from the ratche teeth of the rod 25, allowing the rod to be pulled down by the spring 33, closing the slide valve 11 and cutting oil the flow of grain to the conveyor. It at any time, it is desired to cutoff the flow of grain to the con-veyor, while the conveyor is still operating, the iircuit to the magnet may be opened by actuating the switch 4-0.

it is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to .be taken as a preferred example of the same and that certain changes in the shape, sizeand arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. An automatic release for grain cut-oft valves comprising a casing, a rack bar tending vertically through said casing having its lower end connected with the valve, an electronnagnet, an electric circuit forsaid magnet, means actuated by said magnet "for engaging and holding said rack bar in a raised position, and means for pulling said rack bar down when the circuit to said magnet is broken.

2. In an automatic release for grain cut-01f valves the combination with a grain conveyor having an electric motor for operating the same. of a casing, a rack bar extending vertically through said casing having its lower end connected with the valve, an electro-magnot having connection with the electric .circuit otsaid electric motor, means actuated by said magnetfor engaging and holding said rack er in a raised position and means for pulling said rack bar down when the circuit to said magnet is broken.

3. In an automatic release for grain cut-cit valves, the combination with a grain conveyor having an electric motor for operating the same, of a casing, a slidable rack bar extending vertically through said casing having its lower end connected with the valve, an electro-magnethaving connection with the electric circuit of said eletcric motor, an armature movable towards and from said magnet, a strap connected with said armature and embracing said rack bar, adapted to engage and hold said rack bar in a raised position when the armature is attracted by said magnet, a spring for disengaging said strap when said armature is released by said magnet and a spring for pulling said rack bar down when released.

Lian automatic release for grain cut-oil valves, the combination with a grain conveyorh avin g an electric motor for operating the same, a racl-: bar mounted for sliding iovement having one end connected with the valve, an .electro-magnet having connection with theelectric circuit of said electric motor, means actuated by said magnet for enand holding said rack bar in its adjusted position and means tor releasing said first mentioned means when sai d electro-magnet isdeenergizc l.

In an automatic release for grain cut-oft valves, the combination with a grain conveyor having an electric motor for operating the same, a rack bar mounted for sliding movement having one end connected with the valve, an electro-magnet having connection *ith the electric-circuit of said motor, means ctuated by said magnet for engaging and holding said rack bar in its adjusted position, and means for actuating said rack bar to close the valve when said magnet is (lo-energized.

6. In anautomacic release tor grain cut-oil valves. the combination with a grain conveyor having an electric motor for operating the same, a rack bar mounted for sliding movement having one end connected with the valve, an electro-magnet having connection with the electric circuit of said motor, means actuated by said magnet for engaging and holding said rack bar in its adjusted position, for releasing said first mentioned means when said magnet is de-energized, and means for actuating said rack bar to close the valve when the same is released.

7. In an automatic release for grain cut-oi? valves. the combination with a grain conveyor having an electric motor for operating the same, a slidably mounted bar for opening and closing the valve, an electro-magnet having connection with the electric circuit of said motor, a catch actuated by said magnet adapted to engage and hold said bar in its adjusted position, and means ror releasing said catch when said magnet is de-energized.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

H. R. SIMMONS. 

